1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
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1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of battle
ABC News, 14 May 2026
The final season of the series builds towards the fateful battle at King's Mountain and Jamie's death.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Ashley Grams, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The quality, however, doesn’t make for a pleasant viewing experience, especially during lulls in the season like the one the Dodgers are currently battling through.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The low-scoring game was a defensive battle in which both teams struggled to get open looks at the basket.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
The final season of the series builds towards the fateful battle at King's Mountain and Jamie's death.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Verb
Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The quality, however, doesn’t make for a pleasant viewing experience, especially during lulls in the season like the one the Dodgers are currently battling through.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
The fight will be contested at welterweight, and White did not clarify how many rounds the bout would be contested at.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Uthmeier has taken a courageous stand, and should finish the fight.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Forbes was taken down by then-Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay in the skirmish.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Here are some photos from the second of three skirmishes in this always entertaining Show Me State clash.—
Jeff Rosen,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Alex Smalley leads the field at the 2026 PGA Championship through three rounds of play, with a score of -6.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Also, without names, the people are on a level playing field with the snowflakes, who are the man’s new friends, and, without names, the doctors can be known solely by their specialties.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Militant leaders have usually died as a result of internecine rivalry among competing groups or factions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
That’s the foundation of an all-time rivalry.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
And before this win, Rai was expecting to have to compete on the PGA Tour’s fall schedule to work his way up the FedEx Cup rankings.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
The program also ensured any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying for the state finals in events that included a trans competitor, to compete for the title as well.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Many have infinity-edge hot tubs—and the hotel is in the process of installing those in every casita—and all face the Sea of Cortez.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Scotland is making its ninth World Cup appearance… Also, Haiti will play a pre-World Cup friendly against New Zealand at Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale stadium on June 2 and Turkey, a USA group opponent, faces Venezuela there on June 6.—
Michelle Kaufman
May 15,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Tea tree and eucalyptus oil have both proven to be very effective at combating fungal infections.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
China has looked to redefine its global brand in an effort to boost tourism and combat negative narratives.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Extending housing to remote areas requires new roads, water systems, sewers, schools, and fire protection, all of which are costly and often opposed by local governments.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The wall is opposed by environmental groups, local sheriffs, and a far-right pro-gun YouTuber who is the region’s Republican nominee for Congress.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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